Tension at National Assembly over alleged plot to impeach Speaker Dogara

There was tension at the National Assembly on Wednesday as people were seen in groups discussing the likelihood of forceful impeachment of the House Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara.

Fidelis Chidi Blog correspondent, who monitored developments on Wednesday, saw people including about 15 newly defected House of Representatives members gathered at the lobby of the National Assembly discussing the issue.

The development followed unconfirmed reports that some members of the House of Representatives loyal to President Muhammadu Buhari were, as at press time, meeting at the Presidential Villa deliberating on the way forward over the gale of defections.

Sources also had it that the members were considering moving into the House for impeachment of the Speaker despite ongoing recess of federal lawmakers.
Meanwhile, the gathering of the House members suddenly became the cynosure of everyone around the White House lobby, a situation that prompted Fidelis Chidi Blog’s inquiry.
Attempts to speak with Hon. Benjamin Ikani Okolo representing Dekina/Bassa federal constituency, one of those seen at the lobby, did not yield result as he declined to comment.

However, a principal staff of the Sergeant-at-Arms, who spoke with Fidelis Chidi Blog under anonymity, posited that the plot might have been prompted by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki’s defection yesterday, adding that it was a signal of the House Speaker’s defection.
Speaking on the possibility of some elements taking action against the House Speaker while lawmakers are on recess, he explained that “anything was possible”, adding that they, the security outfit, was ready for any eventuality.
Members of the House of Representatives loyal to President Buhari believe that the Speaker, who was yet to make his defection known, was no longer with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).